News Release: Children's Annual Mental Health & Wellness Fair: Empowering Change and Impact

2465 Gillespie Street
Fayetteville, NC 28306

Contact: 
Renarta C. Moyd
Communications Manager, Communications and Community Engagement 
Phone: 910-678-2307
Email: renartac@ccs.k12.nc.us

For Immediate Release:
May 4, 2024

Children's Annual Mental Health & Wellness Fair:
Empowering Change and Impact

Hundreds gathered to champion mental health recovery, resilience and success

Fayetteville, N.C. — This morning, Festival Park in Fayetteville was filled with those looking to spread awareness about the importance of children's mental health and the need for services that support recovery, resilience and success.

In observance of Children's Mental Health Awareness Week (May 5-11), the Student Services department of Cumberland County Schools hosted the district's second annual It's OK 2 Ask: Children's Mental Health & Wellness Fair.

Attendees engaged with over 40 local vendors, accessing valuable community resource information, and indulged in culinary delights and gaming experiences from food and video trucks. Live fitness presentations were also featured, alongside an array of freebies for fairgoers. Furthermore, the event incorporated a one-mile walk around Downtown Fayetteville dedicated to suicide prevention. Jonathon Foster, owner of Evolution Fitness and Results and a vendor of the fair spoke about the importance of mental health. "It's good to be in shape and physically fit, but our mental health is very important, so let's take time out today to focus on our mental health," said Foster. 

An attendee of the fair shared her thoughts on the event's purpose. "I feel like today's event is essential, especially for our children in the community," said Ayesha Neal. "We want to start talking about mental health with them now,  practicing exercises as they grow and normalizing mental health," continued Neal. 

Dr. Natasha Scott, the executive director of CCS' Student Services, introduced the mental health and wellness fair to the district two years ago as 'a fresh way' to raise awareness about an issue vital to the lives of the students and their families. "This event really needed to be a fun event that would get people active and moving while sharing resources that people need. When you're active and being physical, it produces endorphins which are the chemicals in your brain that produces positive feelings," said Scott.

Mental Health Fairgoers Go On The Walk To Raise Awareness

CCS Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr. poses with Gray's Creek High School Cheerleaders

Executive director of CCS' Student Services Dr. Natasha Scott

Facepainting at the mental health and wellness fair

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